Southern Land of Fire, Uchiha Legion headquarters.
Uchiha Rei had received the news and personally led a group to the entrance to welcome the heroes home.
"He really did it." The Legion Commander was swept up in excitement, his palms trembling faintly.
He had fought the Three Clans for many years, yet had never been able to crush them completely.
Now that they had the intelligence, they would soon gain the upper hand.
Once the enemy strongholds scattered across the region were eliminated, the Three Clans would be driven into a dead end.
Aside from fighting to the death, their only option would be to flee to the Land of Lightning.
In any case, they could forget about seeking refuge with the Senju.
"When this battle is over, the entire southern border will belong to the Uchiha."
"Tajima, let's see what you'll have to fight me with then."
For a moment, Uchiha Rei seemed to see himself becoming Clan Head.
"My lord, they're here."
His subordinate's voice pulled him back to reality.
He glanced around. At some point, a large number of ninjas had gathered at the entrance, all waiting for Kyosuke's team to return.
Soon, three figures appeared on the horizon.
At the front was Uchiha Kyosuke, showing his true face.
Ever since his strength had officially reached the level of an elite Jonin, he no longer needed to wear a mask.
Among ninjas, strength was the only measure that mattered.
Being young only made his exceptional talent all the more evident.
As mentioned earlier, Chidori was the Ninjutsu best suited to the Uchiha. If he could teach it to his subordinates, he could also pass it on to any clan member who met the requirements.
The condition was that they had to become his subordinates.
Ninjas moved incredibly fast. One moment, the team had just appeared; the next, they were already standing before the Legion Commander.
Kyosuke tossed the unconscious Yamanaka Rumiko to the ground and said calmly, "I've completed the mission. I brought back the prisoner."
"Good, good, good." Uchiha Rei said it three times. He recognized her identity at a glance.
He ordered his men to take the prisoner away and guard her closely, then patted Kyosuke on the shoulder. He didn't leave right away.
How could a hero's return be allowed to end so unceremoniously?
He would let Kyosuke bask in the clan's cheers first.
As a longtime enemy, Yamanaka Rumiko's appearance was hardly a mystery.
Before long, someone recognized her.
"Damn, it really is that wretch Yamanaka Rumiko!"
"With her, we can take out the enemy's hideouts one by one."
"You bastards, your days are numbered!"
"Haha, the war is finally going to end!"
"Long live Lord Kyosuke!"
"Long live! Long live!"
Faced with the crowd's feverish faces, Kyosuke didn't shy away.
With a sharp shing, he drew his short blade and raised it high in one hand, letting out a triumphant roar.
The next moment, the cheers nearly shook the entire camp apart.
Inside the commander's tent, Kyosuke sat opposite the Legion Commander.
There was no shortage of filth in the world, wherever one went.
And yet, at times, relationships between ninjas could be remarkably straightforward.
A change in strength naturally brought a change in status. This was Kyosuke's first time speaking with the Legion Commander as an equal.
"Next comes the full-scale assault on the enemy." Uchiha Rei sounded somewhat wistful. "For so many years, I've dreamed of this day."
"Securing victory in the southern border will raise your prestige until it rivals Uchiha Tajima's." Kyosuke made no effort to hide his dislike of the Clan Head.
Over the past year, Tajima's loyal subordinates had repeatedly tried to trip him up.
They hadn't caused any real harm, but they had certainly been irritating.
Still, Kyosuke continued to bide his time.
He wasn't yet in a position to turn the tables, so for now, he let them do as they pleased.
When the time was right, he'd already have Tajima's head quietly reserved for himself.
Their relationship was one thing; Tajima's head was another matter entirely.
As long as Tajima lived, Kyosuke would never be able to seize real power within the Uchiha.
"Now that you've been promoted to Jonin, too..." Uchiha Rei knew his subordinate's abilities well, so he planned to entrust him with an even greater responsibility. "Get your unit organized as soon as possible. Don't worry about finding enough people."
A Unit Captain was permitted to form a team of thirty members.
Given the rate of ninja casualties, a unit's actual numbers usually fell below that limit.
Until now, Kyosuke had preferred to fight in a three-man team, unwilling to let others slow him down.
But with a major battle looming, even if all three of them were Jonin, there was only so much they could accomplish.
One Legion-level Ninjutsu from the enemy could leave them scrambling for cover.
A bunch of useless Mist Ninjas had once managed to withstand Edo Madara's Great Fire Destruction by banding together. Sometimes, numbers really could make up for a difference in raw strength.
"Thank you, my lord." Kyosuke nodded, accepting Uchiha Rei's offer.
He did need to start building his own faction. With troops at his command, he would have enough influence within the clan in the future.
Then, even if Uchiha Tajima wanted to deal with him, he would have to think twice.
While the two men talked, selection for the unit had already begun outside.
Uchiha Izumi tested the applicants' strength, while Uchiha Maya used Genjutsu to screen for anyone who might pose a threat.
At first, many objected. They wanted to serve under Kyosuke, so why should they have to undergo your Genjutsu interrogation?
Wasn't that insulting?
But Uchiha Izumi demonstrated Chidori herself and explained that everyone who passed would be taught by Kyosuke. The clan members throughout the camp immediately grew restless.
They were all battle-hardened ninjas. Anyone with a brain could understand what Chidori meant.
Many had wondered what kind of strength the team possessed to defeat the fully equipped Ino-Shika-Cho.
Now they understood: Kyosuke had developed such a fearsome Lightning Release Ninjutsu.
"Chidori. What a fitting name," someone murmured in admiration.
Since places were limited, only qualified candidates would be accepted for the time being.
What were the requirements?
They couldn't have strong ties to any faction, couldn't be subordinates of Uchiha Tajima, and had to be proficient in Lightning Release Ninjutsu.
As soon as the three conditions were announced, the clan members erupted in dismay. Those who qualified, meanwhile, were overjoyed, eagerly anticipating the day they could learn Chidori.
After a full day and night of testing, the two of them had finally selected thirty ninjas who met the requirements.
No Jonin had applied. Every successful candidate was a Chunin from the clan.
Jonin were strategic assets wherever they went, and they had long since joined different factions.
It wasn't that they didn't want to join. Kyosuke had excluded them from the start.
"Welcome aboard." Kyosuke activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Amid a chorus of gasps, he spoke calmly. "If you follow me, you'll need the ambition and determination to earn distinction."
"Remember, the enemy's heartland is the frontline outpost for our unit."
"With that resolve, do whatever it takes to grow stronger."
Before you continue